Trip Escort for a day

The Hopkins Activity Center coordinates trip adventures with the City of Golden Valley and Medicine Lake Tours.  Occasionally we are called upon to escort the motorcoach, yesterday was one of those days where I, Debbie Vold, Hopkins Activity Center Assistant Coordinator, became “Trip Escort for the Day!” Mind you, I have done this before so I am not a novice, but I just want to explain to those who say “you are lucky to be out of the office and escorting a trip” because believe me this is “not a walk in the park!”

The day begins by greeting, checking in and accounting for all passengers, directing the motorcoach driver the easiest way out of Hopkins, going over the days itinerary (with always the thought in the back of my mind, sure hope we can stick to the itinerary), making sure everyone is comfortable, and whew! finally sitting down for a few minutes to enjoy the scenery.  Then up again, pass out flyers for the upcoming trips because how can you pass up a captive audience (literally captive because they can’t get off a moving bus when I start making my announcements). 

The trip for the day was “Whirl Around Faribault.” I have never ventured into Faribault, so it was new to me also, but with my trusty itinerary in hand and the promise that we would be greeted by Todd from the Faribault Visitors Center, I felt confident. First stop was the Ivan Whillock Studio and the Alexander Faribault House. The group had to split into two groups, first test of the day, we successfully completed the split, no one tripped on the curb and everyone made it to our intended destinations.  Where are the restrooms?  What! No public restrooms at the first stops! Ok, use the motorcoach restroom – tragedy averted.  Note to self:  tell tour company, no public restrooms at these locations.  Next escort test, get everyone back on motorcoach at the time indicated on the itinerary without showing any anxiety or impatience.  Whew!  That went well!

Next stop, Donahues Greenhouses, a fragrant, colorful stop where we could make purchases.   A good escort always has faith in the driver, even when he is parallel parking a huge motorcoach (my eyes were closed when he was doing this). Shopping trip was successful and with my trusty sharpie in hand we marked names on all purchases and got them under the motorcoach for the ride home.  Head count before we leave and Whew! off to lunch.

Lunch was at the Depot Restaurant where the staff welcomed us and directed us to our group’s dining area.  Escort challenge: switching people around so this person can sit next to this person-Whew! Someone agreed to move – everyone happy!  Escort is always last to sit down at whatever empty seat is available and last to get their meal – just a rule!  I try to remember one of my “Ten Commandments for Travelers.”  It goes something like this…Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for a short period of time for thy server is busy and we are a large group.

The group gets fed a wonderful meal in record time and now we have 20 minutes to kill. Oh dear! Some group members want to walk to the next destination a short distance away, no problem says the escort, will meet you there!  Todd from the Visitors Center is my “knight in shining armor” – in he comes and says he will take the rest of the group on a short tour of the town on the motorcoach.  Great! Note to self:  don’t tell the walkers what they missed.

We arrive in downtown Faribault.  Half the group goes to the Paradise Center for the Art and the others go across the street to the Cave Cheese Shop for cheese samples and a presentation.  Where is the rest of the group? Todd runs across the street and rounds up the walkers. Whew! Everyone is where they should be!  3 pm is departure time and with cheese purchases in hand we are on our way after head count, all present and accounted for! 

Once on 35W, out come the card bingo cards for a chance to win some prizes, pass out information on the next trips, answer questions, visit with people and wow we are already back in Hopkins.  Exit the motorcoach, make sure everyone has everything  and Whew! Day is done. Stop by the office, check my emails and head home exhausted.

It was a fun trip, lots to do in Faribault and I highly recommend visiting the area if you are so inclined.   The Hopkins Activity Center offers lots of day and extended trip adventures.  Next day adventure is the Target Field Tour on Tuesday, June 7; I highly recommend this one to get up close and personal with Target Field!  Check out our overnight Branson Fall Adventure, October 5-9, 2011 which includes 8 great Branson shows!  Call 952-939-1333 or email activitycenter@hopkinsmn.com for additional information on all our upcoming adventures!

A special thank you to our regular escort, Mary Odell! Bless thy tour escort, for they surely deserve it!

Happy Traveling!